Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCF) is looking for a passionate individual to fill the position of Education & Outreach Assistant. 

This position is ideal for an outgoing, independently motivated, flexible, organized person with experience working with community members of all ages and a passion for fisheries conservation and environmental education. The Education and Outreach Assistant will have a variety of responsibilities including delivering in-class and field based educational experiences for K-12 students, assisting teachers and MCF staff with salmon tank maintenance and fish care as part of MCF’s Salmon in the Classroom program, coordinating volunteer work parties to improve fish habitat, staffing community outreach events, assisting with the creation of educational materials and resources, clerical and logistical support, assisting with a wide variety other tasks, and potentially helping with field work as needed.

Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring wild salmonid populations and their habitats through restoration, protection, education, and community involvement throughout our region. Mid-Columbia Fisheries is part of a statewide network of Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups working to restore and protect fish populations and habitat. 

Schedule and Duration 

This position is envisioned as an on-going, career position. For the right candidate, this position could be year round, or just for the school year (Sept. to May).  

The Education and Outreach Assistant will work a minimum of 32 hours a week, 9 months of the year, from September to May each year. Potential for full-time hours and/or additional summer work may be available for the right candidate who is willing and able to assist with different tasks, especially in the summer. Work hours will primarily be Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend and evening work required for volunteer and community outreach events. 

We are seeking a candidate interested in this as a long-term position. This position is currently funded through December 2027. MCF intends to secure funding for this position in 2028 and beyond, but this is not guaranteed. 

Duty Station

This position will be based out of our Ellensburg, WA office, with occasional remote work potentially available as workload allows and at the discretion of the supervisor. 

Position Responsibilities

  September - May Duties

• Education and Outreach – Assist with & occasionally lead outreach and education events to teach people of all ages about native salmonids, their habitat, and how humans impact them. Education and outreach activities include K-12 field trips, classroom lessons, salmon dissections, and other public events for community members of all ages. 
• Salmon Tank Care and Maintenance: Assist teachers in caring for salmon tanks as part of the Salmon in the Classroom program. Duties include performing water changes, testing water quality, and assisting teachers with salmon tank issues
• Adopt-a-Stream coordination – Recruit new groups and coordinate with existing groups to conduct semi-annual volunteer stream clean-ups.
• Volunteer event coordination – Support MCF staff with organizing and hosting volunteer events to help improve fish habitat. Duties consist of recruiting community volunteers, site preparation and clean up before/after events, coordinating logistics and supplies, ensuring volunteer safety, and educating volunteers about the importance of their contributions.
• Office assistance – Duties include assisting other staff with a variety of office tasks, including but not limited to: data input, updating social media and web pages, and supporting day-to-day operations of Mid-Columbia Fisheries with clerical duties such as making copies, organizing supplies, conducting inventory, ordering supplies, etc. 
• Other duties as assigned – Other duties can vary widely and will depend on need as well as the successful candidate's strengths and availability. Some examples of other duties may include assisting MCF staff and seasonal workers with field surveys, organizing events, restoration work, assisting the Bull Trout Task Force, and more. 

 Summer Duties (optional depending on the interest & availability of the candidate)

For the right candidate, this position can be year round. Summer duties could be 32 or 40 hours per week, and could be working with our Bull Trout Task Force or Restoration Crew, depending on the skills, interests, and availability of the applicant. 

• Bull Trout Task Force – Bull Trout Task Force work may include relocating bull trout that have been stranded in disconnected streams, removing recreational dams that block access to bull trout and salmon spawning, collecting data during demographic (snorkel) surveys, conducting public outreach, and camping overnight in remote areas with no cell phone service for up to 3 nights per week. 
• Restoration Crew – Restoration Crew work may include enhancing native fish habitat through controlling invasive weeds, planting and irrigating native plants, constructing beaver dam analogs (BDA’s), constructing and repairing fences, operating power tools, and maintaining tools and equipment. This work does not typically involve being away overnight.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, education, or similar, OR 2 years of relevant work experience OR a combination of experience and education 
• Confidence with public speaking and experience speaking to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated experience working with K-12-aged children 
• Self-motivated and able to independently manage a schedule and complete tasks with limited supervision 
• Passion for environmental education, ecology, and/or fisheries conservation, and Mid-Columbia Fisheries’ mission.
• Ability to serve outside in all types of weather and capable of repeatedly lifting 50 lbs into and out of trucks and walking 3 miles daily over steep or uneven terrain
• Impeccably detail-oriented with great organizational skills
• Friendly, outgoing demeanor and ability to work well alone and in a team
• Proficiency with MS and Google Suite, including Excel
• A can-do attitude and willingness to be flexible and learn new skills
• A valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and the ability to safely drive our organization’s vehicles
• Ability to pass a national service criminal history check

Desired Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish is strongly desired. Applicants with Spanish-speaking abilities will receive special consideration
• Working knowledge of central Washington native plant & fish species and regional conservation concerns 
• Familiarity with Canva for making social media posts, flyers, and other promotional materials

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (employer pays 85% of the premium for the employee and 0% for dependents)
• Paid vacation and sick leave* 
• 12 paid holidays per year*
• Eligibility for a 3% employer retirement match after one year of employment (Simple IRA)

*Vacation, sick, and holiday leave is pro-rated for less than full-time employees.